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Page 93
sky. He could not afford to stop and call a rest if he wanted the men to have time to eat and get a little sleep. And he could not simply take his shield from Adam. The child had behaved beautifully. To relieve him of his duty without any causeto say he was tired would be the most shameful excuse of allwould be an insult.
"Adam," Ian said, "do you understand what I have done and what I have discovered?"
The boy turned his head. His eyes were heavy, and his lips looked a little blue. Consciously, he lifted the hand that held the rein from the saddle pommel, where he had allowed it to rest.
"II do notI am not sure, lord."
"Very well. I am glad you are so honest. Give me my shield and come sit before me so that I can explain it to you."
"I can listen while I ride," Adam protested uncertainly.
"No doubt," Ian replied, "but you know I have lately been ill. It is tiring for me to need to raise my voice for so long. If you sit before me, I can talk softly."
"A damwein y gadei yr un y dwyn," Owain said.
For a moment Ian was surprised. It was an odd time to be quoting old fairy tales. Then he laughed. Owain had made a reference to proud men who "rarely allow anyone to be carried."
"Diamheu!" Ian replied. The one word, "undoubted," carried his meaning without exposing his lack of mastery of the incredibly complex grammar of Welsh or his inability to sing the exquisite language as it deserved.
Beorn watched as Ian lengthened his shield strap and swung it over his shoulder, took the boy into his arms, tenderly tucking his cloak around the youngster. He thanked God that he need not worry about that beloved hellion any longer. Lord Ian loved him and could control him. Owain caught the reins of Adam's horse and fastened them to a loop on the rear of his

 
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